Nanoparticle-based medicine has numerous medical applications, which makes quite a difference in the world of biology and medicine. However, some patients can develop adverse reactions to nanomedicines. In a new study, scientists are shedding light on the effects and responses that persons may experience from nanoparticle-based medicines.

The human body's line of defense is set up to protect against blood-borne intruders. This defense system is responsible for many patients' infusion-related reactions to nanomedicines and treatments. Dr. Seyed Moein Moghimi, researcher of the study found many models, such as pig and sheep models have been used to predict potential cardiopulmonary side effects, risks and infusion-related reactions to nanoparticle-based medicines used in humans. However, Moghimi found that many of these models do not indicate exactly what occurs in the human body, which makes the validity of the models questionable.

Moghimi found that some patients are highly sensitive to nanoparticles, which is a result of liver or lung disorder or disease. Moghimi claimed that future studies should compare tissues from patients with and without liver and lung diseases, which would enable researchers to examine the complete system in nano-medicine-related reactions. Moghimi suggested that a rat with cirrhosis of the liver would be a more effective and predictive model for detecting risks of cardiopulmonary side effects in nano-medicines.

"We are acutely aware of the need for carefully designed and conducted clinical trials to be properly informed by the best available evidence from in vitro and in vivo models," Dr. Graham C. Parker, Executive Editor of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, said in a news release. "Nucleic Acid Therapeutics encourages and welcomes opinion pieces as exemplified by Dr. Moghimi's contribution that help facilitate safe translation to the clinic."